Attaching structure of a brake fluid pressure generator

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an attaching structure of a brake fluid pressure generator on the vehicle. This brake fluid pressure generator is attached to a dash panel provided at near the rear side of a damper housing, by which a compartment of a vehicle is divided into a cabin and an engine room.  
     In the present invention, an installation hole, through which the brake fluid pressure generator is inserted, is formed on the dash panel at the outer side in the width directions with respect to the engine. And a mounter, which accommodates part of the brake fluid pressure generator at least, is used for detachably attaching the brake fluid pressure generator to the dash panel from the cabin side. Thereby, part of the brake fluid pressure generator is positioned at the rear side than the dash panel, and the outer diameter figure of the brake fluid pressure generator is positioned so that it might be overlapped with the damper housing when looked from the fore side direction with respect to the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an attaching structure of abrake fluid pressure generator to be attached to the dash panel by whichthe car body construction is divided into an engine room and a cabin.More specifically, the present invention relates to an attachingstructure of a brake fluid pressure generator to be attached to the dashpanel locating at the vicinity of the damper housing.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] As a well-known vehicle body construction for making the cabinspace as wide as possible, conventionally, the vehicle bodyconstruction, in which a dash panel dividing the inside space of avehicle into an engine room and a cabin space is positioned as forwardas possible, has been known. Especially, most widened cabin space can beobtained in the vehicle body construction, in which the dash panel islocated near the damper housing, into which the damper of suspension forleft and right wheel is provided.

[0005] As one of measures against an impact added from fore directionwith respect to the vehicle, the technique, in which a space is providedat the backside of the engine for absorbing the impact by shifting theengine in the rear side direction with respect to the vehicle, has beenknown.

[0006] When this technique is going to be adopted for the vehicle havingabove described vehicle body construction, since the space for allowingthe backward shifting of the engine is required in the engine room, itwas unfavorable that parts of large size are arranged in the engineroom. In other words, it is unfavorable that parts of large size arearranged in the engine room, especially between the dash panel and theengine, because the backward shifting of the engine at the time ofhead-on collision etc is aborted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to an attaching structure of thebrake fluid pressure generator, which gives the easily installation ofthe brake fluid pressure generator, and in with the space for allowingthe backward shifting of the engine is secured for the driver's safety.

[0008] The present invention relates to an attaching structure of abrake fluid pressure generator, which generates a brake fluid pressurein compliance with the operative force given by the drier's brakeoperation on the vehicle. This brake fluid pressure generator isattached to a dash panel provided at near the rear side of a damperhousing, by which a compartment of a vehicle is divided into a cabin andan engine room.

[0009] In this attaching structure, an installation hole, through whichthe brake fluid pressure generator is inserted, is formed on the dashpanel at the outer side in the width directions with respect to theengine. And a mounter, which accommodates part of the brake fluidpressure generator at least, is used for detachably attaching the brakefluid pressure generator to the dash panel from the cabin side. Thereby,part of the brake fluid pressure generator is positioned at the rearside than the dash panel, and the outer diameter figure of the brakefluid pressure generator is positioned so that it might be overlappedwith the damper housing when looked from the fore side direction withrespect to the vehicle.

[0010] Here, “at the outer side in the width directions with respect tothe engine” is not the meaning strictly located outer side of the engineand is the meaning located in the outer side so as to enable thesecuring of the space for allowing the rearward displacement of theengine in the engine room.

[0011] In the present invention, preferably, a depression, which isprovided for avoiding the direct contact with the brake fluid pressuregenerator after attaching to the dash panel, is formed on the damperhousing so that the outer diameter shape of attaching structure isoverlapped each other when looked from the top side. By arranging thedepression on the damper housing, since the projection of the brakefluid pressure generator into the engine room is allowed as long aspossible, the projection into the cabin is shortened by just that much.Then, the widened cabin space can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DEAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle adopting theattaching structure of the brake fluid pressure generator according tothe present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the whole pedal moduleaccording to the present embodiment.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a front side view of the brake fluid pressure generatorviewing form the fore side direction with respect to the vehicle.

[0015]FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the principal part of theassembling structure of the brake fluid pressure generator shown in FIG.1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESEENT EMBODIMENT

[0016] The preferred embodiment of attaching structure of the brakefluid pressure generator according to the present invention will now bedescribed by referring to the attached drawings.

[0017]FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle adopting theattaching structure of the brake fluid pressure generator according tothe present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the wholepedal module according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front sideview of the brake fluid pressure generator viewing form the foredirection with respect to the vehicle. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan viewshowing the principal part of the attaching structure of the brake fluidpressure generator shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle A has a cabin C, an engine room Rand an engine E. The cabin C is a room for passengers and a driver of avehicle. The engine room R is disposed in front of the cabin C andaccommodates the engine E at the center thereof.

[0019] In this vehicle A, a dash panel 2 is disposed at the rear sidevicinity of a damper housing 1, to which damper D of the suspension forfront-wheel is equipped. This dash panel 2 divides the compartment ofthe vehicle into the cabin C and the engine room R.

[0020] A pedal module M, which has each pedals for operating theacceleration or stopping of a vehicle A, a brake fluid pressuregenerator 3, and the like, is attached to the dash panel 2. The brakefluid pressure generator 3 assists the driver's brake operation bygenerating the brake fluid pressure in compliance with the operativephysical force given by a driver. These components of the pedal module Mare assembled and united into integral body.

[0021] To be more precise, as shown in FIG. 2, the pedal module M iscomposed of the brake fluid pressure generator 3, a mounter 4, a brakeassembly 5, and an accelerator assembly 6.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the brake fluid pressure generator 3 side ofthe pedal module M will be located at the fore side with respect to thevehicle when the pedal module M is attached to the dash panel 2. Thus,in the following explanation, the side of the brake fluid pressuregenerator 3 is defined as “fore side”, and the side of oppositedirection is defined as “rear side”.

[0023] The brake fluid pressure generator 3 has a booster 31, a mastercylinder 32, and reservoir 33.

[0024] The booster 31 is a vacuum-type booster, which generates thethrust for assisting the braking force according to the operation of thebrake pedal. A piston to be actuated by the thrust add from thevacuum-type booster 31 is accommodated in the master cylinder 32, whichis act as the output port. In this brake fluid pressure generator 3, thebrake fluid pressure is brought out from the master cylinder 32 incompliance with the driver's brake operation, when the operative forceby a driver is added to the booster 31.

[0025] The booster 31 has a body part 31 a, an air intake 31 b, and arod 31 c. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the diameter of the body part 31 aof the booster 31 is larger than the gap between the damper housing 1and the engine E. The body part 31 a has a pressure-variable room and apressure-constant room. Outside air is suctioned into a hollow circularcylinder of the pressure-variable room by actuating the valve providedinside of the air intake 31 b. The pressure-constant room is adjusted atthe constant decreased pressure and is joined to the intake manifold ofthe engine E. A rod 31 c controls the open-and-close movement of thevalve provided within the air intake 31 b.

[0026] The master cylinder 32, as shown in FIG. 2, is attached to thefore-side end of the body part 31 a and male screws 31 d are provided atthe rear-side end of the body part 31 a for performing the attaching andthe positioning.

[0027] The reservoir 33 has a supply tank 33 a, a piping 33 b, and areserve tank 33 c. The supply tank 33 a directly supplies the brakefluid to the master cylinder 32. The piping 33 b is attached to the foreside end of the supply tank 33 a, and is prolonged in the fore sideupper direction. The reserve tank 33 c is attached at the fore side tipend of the piping 33 b. In the reserve tank 33 c, the brake fluid to besupplied to the supply tank 33 a is stocked.

[0028] The mounter 4 has a fixing part 41, a shell cover 42, and acradle 43.

[0029] The fixing part 41 is to be fitted on the dash panel 2 for fixingthe mounter 4. The shell cover 42 is a cover placed at the center of thefixing part 41, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape fore side endthereof is opened. This shell cover 42 is formed by molding and has asuitable depth so as to cover the rear side half of the body part 31 aof the booster 31. In other words, any type of the depth may beadoptable as long as the protruding part from the dash panel 2 of thebooster 31 is covered by the shell cover 42. The cradle 43 is arrangedat the bottom side end of the shell cover 42.

[0030] A plurality of screw holes 41 a and long holes 41 b are bored onthe suitable position of the fixing part 41 for attaching the mounter 4to the dash panel 2 using a bolt and the like.

[0031] An attaching face 42 a is served at the rear side end of theshell cover 42, and is facing orthogonal direction with respect to thefore-and-rear side directions. A through-hole 42 b is bored on thisattaching face 42 a for passing through the air intake 31 b of thebooster 31, and holes 42 c are also bored on the attaching face 42 a forperforming the attaching and the positioning when attaching the brakeassembly 5. Screw holes 43 a are provided at the suitable position ofthe cradle 43 for attaching the accelerator assembly 6.

[0032] The brake assembly 5 has a bracket 51, a link mechanics 52 to bestored in the bracket 51, a brake arm 53 to be connected with the linkmechanics 52 at the one end part thereof, and a brake pedal 54 to beattached to another end part of the brake arm 53.

[0033] On the fore side face of the bracket 51, holes (not shown) whichare same as the through hole 42 b and holes 42 c formed on the attachingface 42 a of the mounter 4, are also provided. To be more precise, thepositions and sizes of these holes formed on the bracket 51 areestablished so as to be overlapped with the corresponding through hole42 b or holes 42 c formed on the attaching face 42 a each other.

[0034] The link mechanics 52 has a L-like shape in sectional viewing,and has an arm 52 a, a shaft 52 b, and a linkage (not shown).

[0035] One end of the arm 52 a is connected to the rod 31 c of thebooster 31. The shaft 52 b rotatably supports the crook part of the arm52 a. The linkage is provided between another end of the arm 52 a andthe opposite end with respect to the brake pedal 54 of the brake arm 53.

[0036] In this brake arm 53, the end part to be connected to the linkageis served as the point of application. A supporting shaft (not shown)roratably supporting the position between end part side of the brake arm53 and the brake pedal 54 is served as the point of support. The breakpedal 54 is served as the power point to be added the operative force bya driver. Thereby, in the brake assembly 5, the operative force bringout from a driver is transmitted using the leverage.

[0037] In the brake assembly 5 having these constructions, the positionof the brake arm 53 and the pedal 54 in the cabin C can be moved in thefore side direction than the conventional brake assembly, in which therod of the booster is directly connected without additional linkmechanics and the operative force given by a driver is directlytransmitted to the booster 3. Thus, the more widened cabin space can beobtained.

[0038] The accelerator assembly 6 has an accelerator pedal 61,accelerator arm 62 to be attached to the accelerator pedal 61 at tip endthereof, and a bracket 63. Base end of the accelerator arm 62 ispivotably supported by the bracket 63.

[0039] A cable 64 for transmitting the input from the accelerator pedal61 to the slot valve (not shown) of the engine E is connected to thebracket 63. Holes (not shown), which are same as the screw holes 43 abored on the cradle 43 of the mounter 4, are also bored on the bracket63. To be more precise, the positions and sizes of these holes formed onthe bracket 63 are established so as to be overlapped with thecorresponding screw holes 43 a formed on the cradle 43 each other.Thereby, the accelerator assembly 6 is fixed on the cradle 43 by boltetc at these screw holes.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, an installation hole 2 a, to which the brakefluid pressure generator 3 is installed, is formed on the dash panel 2.In this arranging manner of the installation hole 2 a, as shown in FIG.3, almost left half part of the brake fluid pressure generator 3 afterattaching is hidden by the damper housing 1 when viewing from the foreside direction with respect to the vehicle.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a depression 1 a is formed on thedamper housing 1 for avoiding the direct contact between the damperhousing 1 and the brake fluid pressure generator 3. Thereby, theinstallation of the brake fluid pressure generator 3 can be achievedwithout intrusion.

[0042] The Installation Manner of the Brake Fluid Pressure Generator

[0043] The sequence of the installation manner of the brake fluidpressure generator 3 to the vehicle will be explained as below.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, first, inserting the air intake 31 b and themale screw 31 d of the booster 31 to the through hole 42 b and holes 42c of the mounter 4, respectively. Then, engaging the each holes (notshown) formed on the brake assembly 5 with the air intake 31 b and themale screw 31 d, which are projecting form the mounter 4, respectively.

[0045] Next, connecting the one end of the arm 52 a of the linkmechanics 52 with the rod 31 c to be projected into the bracket 51 ofthe brake assembly 5.

[0046] Then, screwing the nut (not shown) onto the male screw 31 d to beprojected into the bracket 51. Thereby, each of the brake fluid pressuregenerators 3, a mounter 4, and the brake assembly 5 are united into theintegral body.

[0047] Next, passing the cable 64 prolonging from the acceleratorassembly 6 through the long hole 41 b of the fixing part 41 of themounter 4. Thus, the assembling of the pedal module M is achieved.

[0048] After assembling of the pedal module M is achieved, as shown inFIG. 1, detachably attaching the pedal module M to the dash panel 2 fromthe cabin C side. To be more precise, as shown in FIG. 4, inserting thebrake fluid pressure generator 3 into the installation hole 2 a formedon the dash panel 2, and fixing it to the dash panel 2 by bolting at thefitting face 41 of the mounter 4. Thereby the brake fluid pressuregenerator 3 is detachably attached to the dash panel 2.

[0049] About the rear side half of the body part 31 a of the booster 31is positioned at the backward with respect to the dash panel 2, and thefore side half thereof is positioned at the forward with respect to thedash panel 2. In the present embodiment, part of the fore side half ofthe body part 31 a is positioned within the depression la formed on thedamper housing 1. Thus, it might be seen as if the depression la and thedamper housing 1 are overlapped each other in the top plan view.

[0050] In the present embodiment, furthermore, when the attachingstructure of the booster 31 is looked from the fore direction withrespect to the vehicle, the booster 3 is positioned just in the leftside, outer side in the width direction, of the engine E, and the lefthalf thereof is hidden behind the damper housing 1. As shown in FIG. 4,furthermore, the reservoir 33, to be arranged at the fore side upperpart with respect to the brake fluid pressure generator 3, is positionedwithin the engine room R.

[0051] According to the present invention, advantages as below can beobtained.

[0052] In the present invention, the booster 31 of the brake fluidpressure generator 3 is positioned just in left side with respect to theengine E, and part of it is hidden behind the damper housing 1 when thebrake fluid pressure generator 3 after attaching is looked from the foreside direction with respect to the vehicle. Thus, the space is securedbetween the engine E and the dash panel 2. Thereby, the backwardshifting of the engine E within the space is allowed, and the impactgiven by the head-on collision etc is absorbed at this space, thus thesurvival space for a driver and passengers of the vehicle is secured.

[0053] In the present invention, furthermore, the damper housing 1 ispositioned in front of the booster 31 of the brake fluid pressuregenerator 3 so that they might be overlapped each other. Thus, thesticking out of the brake fluid pressure generator 3 into the cabin C,which is caused by the head-on collision etc, can be prevented, becausethe load brought out from the collision is absorbed at the damperhousing 1 and the damper D, etc by their deformation. Thereby, a driverof the vehicle is kept out from the injury.

[0054] In the present invention, additionally, installing operation ofthe brake fluid pressure generator 3 is achieved with ease, because thebrake fluid pressure generator 3 is detachably attached to the dashpanel and the installing operation is performed from the cabin C side.

[0055] Also, since the reservoir 33 of the brake fluid pressuregenerator 3 is provided within the engine room R, the maintenance andthe checkup of the reserved brake-fluid can be made from the engine withease.

[0056] In the present invention, the depression 1 a is formed on thedamper housing 1, and about fore half of the body part 31 a of thebooster 31 is positioned within the engine room R. Thus, the depth ofthe shell cover of the mounter can be formed in the depth, by which thealmost rear half of the body part 31 a of the booster 31 is coveredenough.

[0057] Thereby, the space of the cabin C can be widely used than theconventional installation manner, in which whole of the body part 31 aof the booster 31 is covered by the mounter 4. In other words, accordingto the present attaching structure, since almost half of the brake fluidpressure generator is positioned in the engine room, the depth of theshell cover can be shallow. Thus, the space of the cabin C can be usedwidely by just that much.

[0058] The present invention is not restricted to the above describedembodiment, and is represented by various manners.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the depression 1 a is formed on thedamper housing 1, but any type of the construction can be adoptable aslong as the outer figure of the brake fluid pressure generator isoverlapped with the damper housing.

[0060] As an example, the mounter, which can covers hole of the boosterof the brake fluid pressure generator, can be adoptable. In this case,it is preferable that the depression is formed on the damper housingbecause the advantage, such as widened cabin space, is obtained.

[0061] Shapes or materials of each component of the brake fluid pressuregenerator and the mounter and so on can be optionally displaceable asnecessary.

[0062] When the brake fluid pressure generator, which equips the boosterhaving a larger diameter than the gap between the engine and the damperhousing, is installed on the vehicle, the attaching of the brake fluidpressure generator to the dash panel is achieved by inserting it intothe installation hole from cabin side and fix it to the dash panelthrough the mounter having a suitable size for covering the booster.Thus, the booster is position at the outer side in the width directionsof the vehicle than the engine.

[0063] Thereby, the installation of the brake fluid pressure generatoris achieved with ease while securing the space between the engine E andthe dash panel 2 for allowing the backward shifting of the engine, evenin the vehicle body construction, in which the dash panel is locatedjust in rear side of the damper housing.

[0064] In the present invention, since the damper housing is positionedas if it might be overlapped with brake fluid pressure generator at therear side thereof, the load brought out from the collision etc isabsorbed by the damper housing and the damper, and the backward movementof the brake fluid pressure generator can be prevented.

[0065] In the present invention, furthermore, since the brake fluidpressure generator is detachably attached to the dash panel from thecabin side, the installation of the brake fluid pressure generator on avehicle is achieved with ease.

[0066] According to the present invention, since the depth of the shellcover of the mouter is formed shallow, the cabin space of the vehiclecan be used widely by just that much.

What is claimed is;
 1. An attaching structure of a brake fluid pressuregenerator on the vehicle, said vehicle has a cabin and a dash panel atnear the rear side of a damper housing, said dash panel is positioned atthe fore side of said cabin and separates an engine room from saidcabin, and said brake fluid pressure generator generates a brake fluidpressure from an output port provided at the fore side thereof incompliance with the operative force of the drier's brake operation addfrom rear side thereof, and said attaching structure is comprising; aninstallation hole, through which said brake fluid pressure generator isinserted, and is formed on said dash panel at the outer side in thewidth directions with respect to said engine; and a mounter, whichaccommodates part of said brake fluid pressure generator at least, andby which said brake fluid pressure generator is detachably attached tosaid dash panel from said cabin side; thereby part of said brake fluidpressure generator is positioned at the rear side than said dash panel,and the outer diameter figure of said brake fluid pressure generator ispositioned so that it might be overlapped with the damper housing whenlooked from the fore side.
 2. A attaching structure of brake fluidpressure generator according to claim 1, wherein said damper housing hasa depression for avoiding the direct contact with said brake fluidpressure generator and is overlapped with said brake fluid pressuregenerator each other when said attaching structure is looked from thefore side direction with respect to said vehicle.
 3. An attachingstructure of a brake fluid pressure generator on the vehicle, saidvehicle has a dash panel at near the rear side of a damper housing fordividing a compartment into a cabin and an engine room, and said brakefluid generator assists the braking of said vehicle by generating abrake fluid pressure in compliance with the operative force given by thedrier's brake operation, said attaching structure is comprising; aninstallation hole, into which said brake fluid pressure generator isinserted, and is formed on said dash panel at the outer side in thewidth directions than an engine equipped in said engine room; and amounter, which is detachably attached to said dash panel, and is fittedtogether with said brake fluid pressure generator.
 4. An attachingstructure of a brake fluid pressure generator on the vehicle accordingto claim 3, wherein said damper housing has a depression for avoidingthe direct contact with said brake fluid pressure generator.
 5. Anattaching structure of a brake fluid pressure generator on the vehicleaccording to claim 3, wherein said a brake fluid pressure generator isconnected to a bake pedal through a linkage mechanics, and the operativeforce given by the drier's brake operation is transmitted to said brakefluid pressure generator through said linkage mechanics.
 6. An attachingstructure of a brake fluid pressure generator on the vehicle, saidvehicle has a dash panel at near the rear side of a damper housing fordividing a compartment into a cabin and an engine room, and said brakefluid generator assists the braking of said vehicle by generating abrake fluid pressure in compliance with the operative force given by thedrier's brake operation, said attaching structure is comprising; aninstallation hole, into which said brake fluid pressure generator isinserted, and is formed on said dash panel at the outer side in thewidth directions than an engine equipped in said engine room; a mounter,which is detachably attached to said dash panel, and is fitted togetherwith said brake fluid pressure generator; and a depression, which isformed on said damper housing for avoiding the direct contact with saidbrake fluid pressure generator; whereby said brake fluid pressuregenerator is detachably attached to said dash panel through said mounterwithout interference with said damper housing in the condition that thepart of said brake fluid pressure generator after attachment is hiddenby said damper housing when said attaching structure is looked form foreside with respect to said vehicle.